ossyrocks

Ahh. No, just passive, P basses mostly, occasionally a Jazz.

I've only recently got the Boss WL-20, but I've had no issues on the three gigs I've used them on so far, with wireless Sax and Trumpet players as well. Rehearsals have been fine too. They are really simple to use, slip into the pocket of my gig bag, easy to charge, I don't know why I waited all this time!

I have a Babicz bridge here that I’m considering putting on it too. I’m still on the fence though.

We all have those regrets, I don’t think I’ve met a musician who didn’t have a tale like that.

This arrived from Bass Bros just over a week ago. I was actually away on a residential course from delivery day onwards, so I had to confess to Mrs Rocks about buying it and ask her very nicely if she would stay at home and take delivery of it. She duly did, and even unpacked it and sent me pictures. Anyway, the bass! It’s a 1987 Made In Japan Fender PB-62 Reissue. These were apparently made by Fujigen Gakki for Fender at the time. The build quality is amazing, easily as good as anything I’ve seen from Fender. Acoustically it rings like a grand piano, very reminiscent of the 2016 AVRI P bass I had until recently. One of the most remarkable things about the bass is the condition, it looks more or less new, which is surprising for a 36 year old instrument. There are a handful, maybe four or five tiny marks on the body, that’s it, no buckle rash and no fret wear. It weighs 4.1kg, or 9lbs 1oz. It even came in it’s original shipping carton with matching serial number. The neck is lovely, very very close to my ‘73 P bass, 41mm nut, but just ever so slightly slimmer from front to back. I bought this bass primarily as a bass I need to worry less about than my vintage 70’s Fender basses. Also as a bass I can try things out on, looms, pickups, bridges etc, something I don’t need to be too precious about keeping original. So it’s going to get gigged, and changes will be made, in fact I’ve already made a couple. The first pics are as I received it, totally stock, with the white guard. I’ve been playing it like this since I got home, even with the rounds on it. Today, I received a new loom for it from John (thanks @KiOgon), so I was ready to make a few changes. Now it’s sporting a tortoise guard (thanks @dodgnofski) with full vintage style shielding plate underneath, Fender Custom Shop 62 pickup, new kiOgon loom, and new knobs. And it’s got a new set of TI flats on it. The action is low, it plays wonderfully, and it sounds great. The original guard and wiring with knobs, and the pickup are all stashed away safely if ever I want to put it back to stock. I’m going to take it out on Friday night to the local jazz jam and hopefully play a couple of tunes on it. Thanks for listening! Cheers, Rob

The strap has arrived. There must be some variability in the lengths of these because it’s exactly the same length as my current strap, hole to hole. Used for a couple of hours already. It’s comfy, but it’s less grippy than my leather one, so the bass doesn’t stay put the same, I’ll get used to it though. The true test will be a two and a half hour rehearsal next week. Rob

Thanks for the thorough measurements. I'm going to try one. I'm wondering also if the actual thickness of the strap itself will raise the bass higher compared with a thinner strap of equal length. If it does, then it will be a definite winner. Cheers, Rob

I'm not sure I want just a 3" strap. The strap I'm currently using is 3 1/2" and padded, so I don't really want to go narrower.

I rehearsed for about 2 1/2 hours with the band last Friday night. I have a padded wide Levys strap, but I still ended up with shoulder pain. I got quite excited by this Lekato strap, but I’ve just measured my strap, and I need 110cm. I’m over six foot, and don’t consider that I wear my bass high, so I’m a bit surprised that 115cm is the shortest it will go. I’ll keep looking. Rob

Nice basses, very high prices. Before considering doing any business with “Essex Recording Studios”, I would suggest a bit of internet searching beforehand. He gets discussed a lot on The Fretboard Forum.

I would just put it back on, extra holes and all.

Now that is a bass. I would love an Olympic white early 70’s P bass.

I can’t answer your question, but I would love a P with a Jazz width neck. My 73 & 78 are both B necks at 41mm. The 78 is a proper handful though. Would you mind measuring your nuts (ooo err) and let us know what they measure?

A 1973 Precision has appeared on eBay this morning. Very lightweight (8lbs 3 oz!!), but non original guard, which is a shame. It’s all the money mind you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Precision-Bass-with-Maple-Neck-Rosewood-Fretboard-1973-Sunburst/304935471032?hash=item46ff9207b8:g:qSAAAOSwAY5kXrIl&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwC6xsaE1QVltL5PjeA4SNTjCMLX1Mw3Fb1d8FaK3MR1Ur4ba5TCLjTDhn3nZVvlUe6iaoKIE+z1wadVl9DeK+kpPmGZmj+sAhv1axN2aV2DclRACqqIDdNzlveFiwvczrnUBObVLUvW0scqMoPbuIE3rtwYTXgRX8YYc7W9VwNGp1Nqpsap9MOV28kVcgVNf2blktdj1phGXOSjyeUKVDXS++XZHfuLs1YanhFWWFDicyj2rXAkHervMxx8wFe9fJQ==|tkp:Bk9SR57g-L6CYg&LH_ItemCondition=4&pageci=d35efe13-2756-4185-9542-e2f1abdcf6ec&redirect=mobile

They are both spot on. It’s just that the bridge on the ‘73 is placed about 1cm further back than the bridge on the ‘78.

Thanks to everyone for your input, it seems to be a topic that others have thought about too. @SubsonicSimpleton you have some good suggestions. I’m 58, and well aware of my mortality these days, and the aging process on my joints. My other passion is food growing, so I do spend a lot of time inadvertently working on my core strength. I’m not overweight, but more tall and lean. I do yoga every day, I have to, having had spinal surgery a few years ago. I have opted for @JohnR’s suggestion of the drum throne. It does seem like a bargain, and exactly fits the bill. I can also fold it up and stash it away if I need to. It should be here next week, so I’ll report back and let you know if it’s any good for me. Cheers, Rob

Your band looks cool, scary, loud, good! Two basses too!

The attraction of ^ that one is that it's height adjustable and it folds up to stash away. This could be useful considering the size of our house. I would like the backrest too, but the package adds up a bit! At the end of the day, I'll pay whatever I need to for the right thing though.

I do play gigs, but I'd like to practice both sitting and standing if I can.

I need height adjustable I think. But I couls sit on our IKEA stools from the kitchen as an interim.

I do know what you mean. However I'd like to have the bass in the same relative position on my body regardless of whether I'm sitting or standing, so it shouldn't make any difference.

I need a chair for practice. I've been playing too long in the lounge on low chairs and sofas and it's affecting my right shoulder and elbow. Yes, I can stand to practice, but a couple of hours a night is a bit much. I need to get some proper posture going on. Who's got one, and what do you use? I'm actually thinking of buying a Mapex Drum Throne with backrest ! Rob